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Category Archives: Hampden Hampshire & Worcester Senate

Analysis: Campaign Mortal Kombat or Senate Silly Season…

UPDATED 11:35PM For grammar. The race to replace Gale Candaras in the 1st Hampden & Hampshire Senate seat has had its high and low moments. With three quarters or more of race taking place in the primary, it is unsurprising that both the best and

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Analysis: The 413 Elephants in the Picnic Grounds…

Depending on your perspective, 2014 is either a good year or a less poor than usual one for Western Massachusetts Republicans. On the one hand, there are some pickup opportunities for the party. On the other, for the first time in a long, long, LONG

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Rallying with Gov. Patrick, Lesser Shifts to General Election…

UPDATED 9/15/14 12:10PM: For clarity as to the other primary candidates not in attendance. EAST LONGMEADOW—With last Tuesday’s raucous primary over, the campaign office behind the Big Y near the Springfield line again lit up with activity as Eric Lesser and his campaign pivoted to

UPDATED: Lesser Triumphant after Primary Squeaker…

UPDATED 9/10/14 6:35PM: For clarity, additional details since original posting, to note updated totals on the margin of victory and to update on other races settled on primary night. EAST LONGMEADOW–Former White House aide and first time candidate Eric Lesser defeated four opponents in a

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The Primary Numbers: The Lesser Candidate in the Race…

UPDATED: 9/7/14 9:39PM: For grammar, clarity and inclusion of links. On a legislative level, 2014 may be remembered as one of the most significant for Springfield area politics given the number of open legislative seats. In the 1st Hampden & Hampshire District the Democratic primary there

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A Chip off the Ludlow Block…

LUDLOW—Twelve days out from primary day, the parking lot at the Elks Lodge on Chapin Street was filling up with a long row of cars. Inside, the crowd of more than 125 were mostly in the back lining up along the refreshment table and scarfing

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A Senate Campaign Born in the LachiU-S-A…

UPDATED 5:21PM: To reflect that all of the Democratic senate candidates had filed their OCPF reports. SPRINGFIELD—Taking a break from the campaign trail, Dr. Thomas Lachiusa looked out over Bass Pond hidden off of Parker Street. The sun settling into its evening descent hung overhead,

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When Voters Elect, Will They Choose Saunders Select?…

The opening of a seat on the Ludlow Board of Selectman offered an opportunity for Aaron Saunders, then Chief of Staff to Senator Gale Candaras, to make his own mark on the political scene. Like others elected in 2008, however, Saunders would find it not

From Seeds Sown in Override Battle, a Lesser Outlook Was Born…

LONGMEADOW—In the shadow of the 2002 recession, each community felt cuts to local aide—inevitable as acting Governor Jane Swift ruled out new revenue—in their own way. During an assembly in January that year, students, faculty and staff at the high school gathered and learned what

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History of the (Council’s) World: Part Allen…

UPDATED 8/17/14 11:00AM: For grammar & clarity. As a general matter, since the return of Springfield City Council has avoided the banality and pettiness that sometimes typify other Valley municipal legislatures. Without a doubt both happen at 36 Court Street, but it does not tend to